Manchester United have lost five of their last six Premier League meetings with Brighton and Hove Albion thanks to an unmarked Joao Pedro scoring in the 95th minute at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.
It wasn’t embarrassing in the sense of being thrashed, as was the case with Ralf Rangnick’s woeful Red Devils just over two years ago, the result that started this bogey run. But United were not brilliant, unable to build on the momentum of last Friday’s late win over Fulham.
Ironically, two offside goals meant they had a chance to win this one, but the comical stoppage time of a defenseless chicken, despite boosting the backline over the summer, cost them.
Early talking points focused on Erik ten Hag’s side unchanged from the one that started against Fulham eight days earlier – without Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee in the XI.
Everyone has a role to play
Erik tells us about his selection process beforehand #BHAMUN
#MUFC || #PL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 24, 2024
Zirkzee on the bench wtf!!! pic.twitter.com/xPbl607Tr8
— @Trishbae united (@trishbaeunited) August 24, 2024
There was also no Jadon Sancho in the squad for the day. Ten Hag admitted there were “some problems” and asked Sancho to earn his place. Some fans have lost their patience.
sell it
pic.twitter.com/iG3WqD8daH— ً (@Zirkzee11) August 24, 2024
It was an even opening half hour with few chances for either team, until…
If Welbeck were to play every week for United again, he would surpass 50 per season
— Si Lloyd (@SmnLlyd5) August 24, 2024
Danny Welbeck opens the scoring – he loves playing for his old club!
#BHAMUN #BBCFutbol pic.twitter.com/s46OfMQ6UF
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 24, 2024
100 – Danny Welbeck’s first goal was the 100th goal of his club career in all competitions, while he has only scored more against West Ham (7) than against former Manchester United (6). dude #BHAMUN pic.twitter.com/wkyhBGdVtU
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 24, 2024
Wellbeck relax? Has it been 10 years? Is Van Gaal retired??
— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) August 24, 2024
United fans didn’t love Harry Maguire’s role in goal, struggling to deal with a cross, especially with a new £43m centre-back on the bench.
That’s why De Ligt should have started everything you wanted Maguire to start because of a good game.
— Pryde (@utdmotion) August 24, 2024
De Ligt watching this Maguire performance on the benchpic.twitter.com/X8e2zimIiF
— IG: footymemehub (@footymemeshub) August 24, 2024
Immediately after Brighton’s opener, Marcus Rashford scored but was flagged for offside
#BHAMUN – 33′
The referee’s no-goal warning was checked and upheld by VAR when Rashford was in an offside position. pic.twitter.com/GPpsdG2cWP
— Premier League Match Center (@PLMatchCentre) August 24, 2024
Rashford has been offside three or four times. Comrades guilty of not finding the pass at times but also impatience from someone in desperate need of a goal. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) August 24, 2024
I honestly think Rashford doesn’t understand how the offside rule works.
— Keith Russell (@Keith_Russell) August 24, 2024
The half saw the welcome arrival of Zirkzee as Ten Hag opted for something more conventional.
Tough on the mountain, but excited to see more of Zirkzee, come on!!
— Soph Richø
(@SophRicho) August 24, 2024
The Dutchman was not involved in the tie, but Amad’s goal was one that had been coming for a few games after he was given his chance this season.
Fair game Amad. Worrying first hour for him, but there he cut so well. He creates a lot of space for himself. A bit of luck later, but we’ll take it!
— Scott Patterson (@R_o_M) August 24, 2024
Good assistance from Noussair Mazraoui.
1 – Noussair Mazraoui mounts Amad Diallo for the first time @ManUtd they have scored a Premier League goal that was both scored and assisted by African players. continental #BHAMUN pic.twitter.com/o6fLAPUKnn
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 24, 2024
With the death of his stepmother this week, things have not been easy.
Good for Amad. It has been a difficult week for him.
— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) August 24, 2024
Amad is currently mourning the death of his father’s wife, whom he saw as his mother.
He asked to play despite the news and scored a goal in his memory
pic.twitter.com/gsstx070kX
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 24, 2024
Amazingly, United thought they had taken the lead when substitute Alejandro Garnacho shot at the keeper, only for Zirkzee’s offside to flag him down and put it away.
Alejandro Garnacho’s shot was headed into an open net, but Joshua Zirkzee’s touch on the goal line resulted in offside…#TheKickOff | #BHAMUN pic.twitter.com/dLMBCzv30a
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 24, 2024
Cruelly, hero to zero from one game to the next.
They will drag Zirkzee for this one. pic.twitter.com/gr8W6FpM9Y
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) August 24, 2024
Things went from bad to worse as Brighton won it after United failed to deal with a stoppage-time corner and left huge gaps all over the box as the Seagulls recycled the chance.
Joao Pedro went completely free at the far post. pic.twitter.com/pIpdXXIOHQ
— utdreport (@utdreport) August 24, 2024
no one will remember:
– your salary
– How “busy were you”
– How many hours have you worked?people will remember:
– that match winner João Pedro— Premier League USA (@PLinUSA) August 24, 2024
| Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo’s reactions to João Pedro’s win against United. pic.twitter.com/rhXAcmUOAx
– CenterGoals. (@centregoals) August 24, 2024
Brighton always seem to hurt Man Utd no matter who is in charge. sad ending
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) August 24, 2024
Man Utd has already started the nonsense
— One (@HeadieOne) August 24, 2024
Remember when Man Utd won the league last week?
— – (@AnfieldRd96) August 24, 2024
Has anything changed from last season?! That midfield is dead and there’s nothing we can do about it from now on. Casemiro was constantly going to the ground and Mainoo started to do so at the end. Rashford pitiful, Maguire won’t be at Liverpool. Ugarte is a must! @ManUtd
— Will Higman
#MUFC I shouldn’t lose this game. The inability of players to stick together or time passes has cost the team. He also lost the defense in the box. The overall game is pretty good. There was application to press again. Fernandes’ takeoff didn’t work.
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) August 24, 2024
